Although STEM is a four-subject acronym, it is not only the subjects themselves that prepare students for the future. It is the manner in which these subjects exist in service to each other, and the manner in which their application serves as an externalized learning process that becomes visible to the teacher and the learner.  Our belief about STEM is, as we have written often, that it is an expansive term that invites all subjects into the process all based upon the talents and…

Bringing the use of technology forward, embedded into teaching and learning, is the responsibility of school leaders. The words "professional development" create a picture of Superintendent Conference Days or trips to conferences. Without the leaders' attention, support, and modeling, pockets of use and resistance will remain within the school leaving uneven opportunities for use by students. Resulting changes may be seen in cases of individual efforts. Yet unless truly led by the…

Each educator has a responsibility to create the environment in which every student can succeed. Roles may be different, but the responsibility the same. However, it is the superintendent, in concert with the central office and building leaders, who hold the responsibility for leading a community of faculty and staff. Certainly, if a teacher is dedicated to that end, within that specific classroom, there are successes which can become foundational for future…

In a business that calls for its leaders and teachers to be problem solvers all of the time, it seems that staying on task and doing what needs to be done may not lead to anything more than solving the problem at hand. Since we hold the work close and it is always somewhere in our thinking, allowing attention to disconnect, may just be the route to more innovative solutions. Then, disconnecting creates the space for attention to other things; allowing the mind to wander into new places…

Practitioners and researchers offer that practicing mindfulness leads to an increased ability to focus and concentrate, greater self-awareness, reduced stress, increased empathy, and improved impulse control. My personal experience with mindfulness over the past eight years affirms these claims. I have come to recognize that my mindfulness practice has helped me to more fully engage in conversations and truly listen to others, better understand the emotional state and needs of those I am…

The educator's dilemma arises within the domain of what's good enough. An "acceptable" number of students graduate, and an "acceptable" number of students go on to college or join the work force.  Where did that "acceptable" number come from and whose hand moves it when we glance away? We lead schools, institutions that exist at the core of our society; they are expected to both keep pace with change and hold true to tradition. We choose often between two right options, trying to find…

The media has exposes us to less than polite exchanges when people are disagreeing. In fact, the term "politically correct" has become a bad word for those who feel sided lined as our culture has moved away from name calling. This year's presidential race is causing us to confront the issues again as it raises the ugly head of name calling again.  Will those using the freedom of speech on a political stage influence our efforts to model and teach how to say what you think and feel…

Has all the supervision and rating made a difference in teacher performance and student achievement?  Now the suggested standards for those supervising the principals will guide the task of central office leaders.  Will that improve the principals' evaluation process or improve their performance?  Will it lead to another accountability level, which is very important, certainly, or will it lead to a coaching system rooted in personal and professional growth and…

Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia's recent comments about the mismatch theory have caused justifiable uproar. Many who never previously heard of mismatch theory applied to education are now in debate about its authenticity and relevancy. The theory of mismatch, although complex, and Justice Scalia's…

Excitement about the reauthorization of ESEA and the demise of No Child Left Behind is accompanied by a collective sigh of relief. Another sigh of relief came from New Yorkers this week as well. They received news of the recommendations from group of education officials, teachers, parents, and state representatives who are serving as Governor Cuomo's task force for changes to the Common Core Standards and the…

As the New Year approaches, and the first four months of this school year come to a close, a wondering arises. Has all the time committed to observation and evaluation resulted in noticeable or measurable change that has benefitted children?  If it is too soon to have that answer, what about this one....in what way(s) have the evaluations impacted the teaching faculty? Now is a good time to stop, reflect, and adjust. …

There is much more to feedback than the giving of it. When feedback stems from the outside, our willingness and ability to use it depends on our readiness for the feedback, our relationship to the feedback giver, and the conditions in which the feedback is provided. Feedback that is descriptive, anchored, timely, meaningful and respectful can increase the likelihood that the receiver can and will use it to improve upon the work.…

We question how it is possible to truly prepare students for lives beyond our walls when no one knows how rapidly the world will proceed to change. Yet, we can be pretty sure in our hearts of hearts that retaining what happens within our walls the same as the last century isn't enough...and it isn't right.  We contend that systemic change is required. Agreement on the purpose of public education and a shared vision for schools must come first. …

Holiday time is approaching. For most of us, it is a happy time with family and friends, with memories and fondly held traditions. Most schools engage in activities that help raise funds for families in need, offering food and other gifts.  It can make a difference for the young recipients, but there are other issues that run deeper than the need for food or gifts. Those issues are highlighted at holiday time, but remain percolating in the lives of students all through the year.  Those…

It is no secret that schools and the educators and students who work in and attend them are under stress. The time has come to radically change how our schools are organized, how time and work in schools is organized, how our leaders and teachers are trained, and how our students are taught.  The time demands leaders who think and act creatively (Harding, 2010). Read…

It appears, that former University of Missouri System President Tim Wolf ignored reports of an unsafe and unfair racist environment growing within his community. Was it a failure to listen to the members of his community or the failure to give the message the importance it demanded?  Whichever error he made, it cost him his job.  We do not know what was in his heart, but we do know that he failed to appreciate the cost others were paying for his lack of active response.  How many times…

Student safety, student behavior, and student learning are a trio of educator responsibilities. Educators have always operated within and held students to a standard of behavior memorialized in a code of conduct.  Ethical behavior, good manners, and certainly legal behavior are taught in homes, houses of worship, and community groups, and are reinforced by teachers and leaders throughout the students' thirteen years in school. But, the cyber world is introducing new questions and more…

So much attention focuses on student achievement and how teachers can teach better and students can learn more.  But, that is only one aspect of the living organism that is school. There is an abundance of contributing factors to whether students reach academic success; whether they are living in poverty, suffering with mental or physical illness, have learning challenges or differences, have fallen behind, have supportive home lives, were read to as toddlers, have attended youth…

This past week we literally saw (thanks to social media) how a classroom situation can accelerate. A student refuses to follow the directions given by a teacher, ignores the administrator's direction, and ultimately, the SRO (School Resource Officer)  is called to a classroom at Spring Valley High School in South Carolina. When the student doesn't respond to his direction, he removes her from her chair and the room, setting off a flurry of reaction by those who witnessed it on site and…

New apps and social media sites seem to crop up and gain popularity with our students overnight, leaving us adults sometimes shaking our heads trying to keep up with the latest and greatest in technology. Students' excitement over using these apps can be overshadowed when cyberbullying occurs, leaving many students to feel helpless, confused, embarrassed or angry. Not to fear! As in other areas of a student's development, educators on the front lines can play an integral role in…